We had the good fortune of connecting with Angelina Lontz and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Angelina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I originally wasn’t trying to start a business. I just had some free time and silicone treat molds, so I decided to make my dogs homemade treats! They loved them so much, I decided to offer them to other dogs in the neighborhood I lived in. Soon I was getting messages asking when I was going to make more treats because their dogs loved them!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Barkley’s bakery is really important to me because it was named in memory of my dog Barkley who suddenly passed away in 2020 from cancer. He was such a great dog, and LOVED treats more than anything! I’m so happy that I get to keep his memory alive through Barkley’s Bakery!
Getting to where I am today has definitely come with it’s challenges. What started out as a small hobby in my neighborhood turned into 9+ hours of baking every week! I also do my own packaging, so I spend a couple hours putting on all the stickers and filling them with treats. Due to some medical/physical limitations I have, it can be difficult to stand on the kitchen tile for that long. I’ve spent so much time baking that I’ve learned some tricks to make the process a little easier on me. Thankfully, I also have lots of great family members around who have been kind enough to help me with the heavy lifting at The Fountain Community Metcalfe Park Market every Saturday.
Something people might not know about my brand is that my all-natural and organic ingredients have some great health benefits for dogs! My blueberry treats provide a great source of antioxidants to help with eyesight and keeping shiny coats! The pumpkin treats are great for pups with sensitive tummies, and our strawberry treats are packed with fiber and vitamin C!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Fountain Community Metcalfe Park Market is a great place to spend your Saturday morning! There are so many great vendors and lots of food you’ll love. On Sundays you’ll find me at Metric Brewing (they’re dog friendly!) for a nice cold drink and some great food on the patio from The Green Machine Grill! If you’re looking for a spot to hang out with your furry friends, Bear Creek Dog Park is also a great place to take them.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a big shoutout to The Pet Pawlor! They took a chance on me when I was just getting started and offered to sell my treats in their grooming shop. They were my first big order of two dozen treats! I love working with them and seeing all the happy dogs in their shop when I deliver more treats!
Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@angelina.millie?_t=8UJRAkCuufT&_r=1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarkleysOrganicBakery